Let's be honest, the last few years haven't been easy on Detroit's sports fans. Our four teams have produced a total of one playoff game since 2017, one playoff win since 2016. The last team to actually win a playoff series was the 2013 Tigers -- and that season ended in excruciating fashion against the Red Sox.
Since the start of the 2016 baseball season, the Tigers, Lions, Red Wings and Pistons are a combined 126 games under .500.
Point is, we could use around here something to get excited about.
Are the Pistons about to provide it?
Consider what Andre Drummond had to say following Detroit's 112-107 overtime win over Toronto Sunday night, its ninth victory in the last 11 games.
“If we keep playing that way, we’ll be a very, very good team and make it far in the playoffs. I think we’re clicking on all cylinders and having fun. That’s what it really boils down to," said Drummond, who recorded his 51st double-double of the season, tops in the NBA.
After a brutal stretch of play over December and January, the Pistons have clawed back to. 500 (31-31) and climbed to No. 6 in the East. It's the team's best standing through 62 games since the 2008-09 season. (Like we said, things have been rough.)
If the playoffs started today, the Pistons would have a first-round matchup with the Pacers, a team without its best player in Victor Oladipo. In all likelihood, it'll be the 76ers or the Celtics ...
Or maybe it'll be the Raptors, against whom the Pistons are 2-0 this season. Dwane Casey seems to have his former team's number.
Griffin is one of just three players in the NBA averaging at least 25 points, seven rebounds and five assists per game, along with Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James. He scored 27 points Sunday night, then told his teammates there's still lots of work to be done.
"We had an awful December, a pretty bad January, and my message to our guys is, 'What have we done?' We’ve had a good stretch, a lot of teams have good stretches. Being the sixth or seventh seed is absolutely nothing to be proud of," said Griffin.
But darn if it's not something to be excited about, simply for the hope of basketball in the spring. Remember what that's like?
You may have wanted the Pistons to tank this season. If so, you probably resent the fact they're taking themselves out of the draft lottery. You almost certainly think the team's current core needs to be blown up.
And in the latter regard, you still may be right.
But for better or worse, the Pistons are gunning with what they've got. And if things break their way down the stretch, they could find themselves with a fighter's chance in the first round of the playoffs.
Oh, they'll be sent home quickly by the 76ers or the Celtics -- or the Bucks, for that matter. But if it's the Pacers or the Raptors? The Pistons could make it interesting.
They're playing well at the right time, and their schedule isn't entirely difficult over the next month. They've got a thriving star who remains unsatisfied, and a coach whose system is starting to click.
You don't have to believe in them again, not yet. You'd probably be wise not to when the playoffs arrive.
But go ahead and indulge in the excitement. Around here, that's all anyone's asking for.